After two losses that have shocked some of the fan base into recriminations and even outrage, recruiting becomes even more important.

The future is won in the living rooms of 18-year-olds, and in the film rooms where talented is evaluated. Oregon has to win some key recruiting battles to stay relevant in a conference that has become a Dawg, Bear and Cat fight every week.

The challenge out West is imposing: there are fewer elite players. Andy McNamara of go ducks.com pointed out today that none of the teams currently in the Top Five play a 9-game conference schedule. The Ducks lost to a very competitive Arizona team yesterday, with one of the best backs in the nation in Ka'Deem Carey. Meanwhile, Alabama coasted to a win over Chattanooga, and Florida State vandalized Idaho.